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Our thoughts are with all in the social work community and the general community affected by the recent hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

 

Our Fall issue will be out in early October. In the meantime, have you read the Summer issue?

 

ON CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK: MEDITATIONS AND TRUTHS FROM THE FIELD is Dr. Danna Bodenheimer's NEW book. Published in July by The New Social Worker Press, it  reached #1 in new social work releases on Amazon.

 

The beautiful, full-color, hardcover edition of this book makes a meaningful gift for you, a student, or a colleague. It is available  now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble (maybe at your local bookstore, too).

 

Jonathan Singer of the Social Work Podcast wrote the foreword to this book, and he said, "Danna pays attention to life’s details with a psychotherapist’s insight and writes about them with the passion of a slam poet. She speaks to the soul of social work and inspires us to think about more than just social work."

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Many aging families struggle with the uncertain future of keeping aging parents safe and comfortable. The realities to be faced about this frequently occur after a major loss—loss of a spouse, significant health decline, reduction in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), difficulty coping and adapting to changing circumstances, and financial setbacks. When these losses occur without any respite time for adjustment and coping, older parents may be faced with making choices that seem extreme and even unfair to them. This is a phenomenon that will not change.  

 

The older-than-65 population in the U.S. numbered 46.2 million in 2014, the last time such data were collected. Estimates climb from there, in that every day in the United States, 10,000 people turn 65. By 2030, half of our population will be older than 65. The numbers do not assess the health of our elders. Yet, we know that by age 65, 30% of our elders have three or more chronic health conditions that can seriously affect their quality of life and mortality. In light of this statistic, the need for care and assistance is a reality for many elders. Elders facing a reduction in ADLs rely primarily on family and friends. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1995, three-quarters of that care was given by family—unpaid, informal, and voluntary.   

 

Health issues for elders focus on chronic conditions of heart disease, emphysema, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and stroke, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was no surprise to us that most of the care given was by women—primarily daughters and female friends of the family—according to the Family Caregiving Alliance. Their role was infinitely more inclusive than hands-on health care—including case manager, friend, companion, surrogate, and advocate. All the while, they functioned as partners, parents, and friends to family and others.   

 

Given this glimpse of the reality of caregiving, we (as social workers) know that individual and group counseling of older adults and families regarding moving, getting help, or changing residence are often fraught with difficulties. Adult children feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped for such tasks, perhaps having had unpleasant conversations about these issues in the past and feeling anxious about facing them again. They often lack the skills or determination to follow through. 

 

Older parents find themselves in a position of discomfort and stress. They have endured losses and are now faced with another potential loss—that of a family home and moving to a residential community or assisted-living facility. They may become sullen, angry, or resentful. They may believe that things are not as bad as others see them and feel there is no advocate for their wishes. The children’s need to see them relocate for comfort and safety and the older adults’ wishes to remain in their homes under all circumstances often result in a stalemate. Frequently, older adults will deny that they need care and try to rationalize about how they will cope. This may be the first time adult children have seen parents afraid and fearful about their own future. 

Sandy Spring, MD

 

Brooke Grove Retirement Village is seeking a Social Worker to join our established Social Work Team and to serve at our Rehabilitation and Nursing Center addressing the needs and concerns of the long-term and short-stay residents.  The Social Worker reports to and works closely with the Director of Social Services.  They also prepare and organize the admission of new residents and coordinate their discharges to ensure their safety back in the community setting, connecting them to other referral services and community resources, and work closely with interdisciplinary team in handling resident and family needs and concerns.  

 

The ideal candidate will be a LGSW (Master's level) licensed in the State of Maryland or have the ability to test for the LGSW level exam and certification.  Experience within a Long Term Care setting as well as a Short Stay Rehabilitation setting would be preferred. This is a Full-time Monday through Friday 40 hours per week position. 

 

Needs could change over time, so flexibility is key. 

 

We are looking to hire the right candidate to join us ASAP.  Interested candidates may submit a resume via email to BGRV-HR@bgf.org or fax to 301-924-1200. Application packets may be filled out at our Human Resources Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

If you have questions or would like further information about this or other employment opportunities, please contact us at 301-924-2811, option 3.  Brooke Grove Retirement Village 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bgf.org  

 

Brooke Grove Retirement Village is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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